Ann has been a Master Gardener since 2020 and currently coordinates presentations and advice clinics for the Grey County Master Gardeners.  Ann has a Master’s of Environmental Studies from York University and is a lifelong gardener.  She has spent her working and private life devoted to protecting our natural spaces and ecosystems as a consulting Professional Planner and University lecturer.  She joined the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway project as a Ranger in 2022.  Over her life, she has grown vegetables, berries, hops, fruit trees, ornamental and pollinator plants to support her bee hives.  Her current garden demonstrates how native plants and perennial food plants can be used to create an ornamental and engaging space.  Ann is particularly interested in exploring how each and every garden can contribute to ecosystem health and support our native insects and other animal species while bringing joy to the garden user.

Master Gardener and Group Coordinator

Since retiring from the public service and moving to Grey County, I now have the time and space to indulge my passion for gardening. I live near Kemble (north of Owen Sound) on a country property with many gardens filled with herbs, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, native and non-native perennials. Starting in early spring, you'll find me either in the greenhouse nurturing seedlings or in the garden weeding, pruning and planting. As a lifelong learner, I love to share my passion for gardening.

Stephanie is a Master Gardener and Communications Coordinator. She received her horticultural diploma from the University of Guelph (2023) and her MBA from Nottingham Business School, UK (2003). Stephanie and her husband reside in Thornbury, Blue Mountains. 

In her previous career, Stephanie held senior level roles in product management and product marketing in both the insurance and legal research industries. She tended her garden in her free time, and it became a great stress reliever and creative outlet. 

Now she puts her energies into outreach, advising and educating would-be gardeners in all things garden. 

Stephanie is a great believer in having fun and experimenting while getting her hands dirty. 

Vicky Thompson has been a member of Grey County Master Gardeners since 2013. She gardens in downtown Owen Sound and at the family cottage on the Bruce Peninsula.  A major interest (and challenge) is making home gardens more ecologically responsible – more a part of nature.  As a retired physician Vicky is also interested in the links between gardening, plants and human health.  

These interests coalesce in a passion for native plants – growing native plants from seed and planting them wherever possible is her focus in gardening.  Our native plants are crucial for the survival of our native insects, which are crucial for the health of our ecology.  The link between ecology and human health becomes more obvious, and important all the time.

Passionate about all things gardening, Elizabeth became a Master Gardener in 2006. She a Horticulturalist from Guelph University and a member of Master Gardeners of Ontario. She is also a graduate from the Ivey School of Business, Western University.  Elizabeth has held a variety of senior management roles in human services over her career with a focus on poverty reduction, food insecurity and homelessness.  

In 2021 Elizabeth joined the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway project as a Ranger and co-founded Pollinate Town of the Blue Mountains. Her enthusiasm for gardening came from her mother, who taught her that with good soil, patience, and love, almost everything will blossom.  Her love for gardening is shared with her youngest daughter who is an avid veggie gardener and plant enthusiast in Kelowna, BC. Elizabeth firmly believes that there is always room for one more plant in every garden. 

Rebecca has been a Master Gardener for 13 years and lives in Conn at the south end of Grey County.  Rebecca inherited her love of gardening from her mother and her artistic talent from her father.  She earned her Horticulturist and Landscape Design Diploma with Distinction from the University of Guelph.  She operates her own business, Frog Fen Gardens, and loves to work with plants and teach others about them.

Jennifer is a Master Gardener with the Grey County Master Gardeners. Originally from Mississauga, she has been based in Owen Sound since 2019. She has a diploma in horticulture from the University of Guelph and owns and operates Jenny’s Farm – a small landscape company. When the winter weather hides the gardens, her collection of over 150 houseplants gets much more of her time and attention. 

With a particular interest in plant propagation – particularly of native species, her most exciting new acquisition is a small greenhouse to experiment with a longer growing season. 

Jennifer generally enjoys caring for living things and is also a Registered Veterinary Technician of 23 years and counting. She considers herself a lifelong learner and is currently working towards a specialized veterinary certification. When not working, you can find Jennifer combining her two favourite things by spending time in her own gardens with her bearded collies, Watson and Moriarty.

Master Gardener, Group Coordinator

Margot always loved plants and gardening which she inherited from her Dutch parents.  She is a Horticulturist and Landscape Designer, a Master Gardener for 14 years, and operates her own business, Ladybird Garden Designs.  She enjoys sharing her design and plant knowledge with anyone interested in gardening.

Master Gardener

Karen makes her home in Bognor, a small village located between Owen Sound and Meaford. She opened her business Willow Farm Grasses in 2012. Leaving a 16 year career as a teacher, Karen dove headfirst into the seedy world of grasses. Developing the most varied and hardy collection of ornamental varieties became her passion. 

When she is not watering, planting or propagating, Karen loves to pull weeds, hike and travel. She has been an active member of the Grey County Master Gardeners since 2010 where she has continued to develop her love and knowledge of native plants.

Master Gardener

Master Gardener Emeritus

Master Gardener in Training

Master Gardener in Training

Carole Warren is a Master Gardener in Training. Carole has had a varied career - as a musician, sheep farmer, strawberry grower and long-time CBC Radio producer. She currently lives in Owen Sound, where she’s in the process of making her gardens more pollinator-friendly.